Iraqi oud player Naseer Shamma will be the Artist for Peace to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) due to “his commitment to peace, especially by targeting youth during his musical performances.”

Born in 1963 in Iraq’s Kut, the oud player “is a musician internationally known for being one of the world’s greatest oud virtuosos”.

“Shamma is named in gratitude to his commitment to the musical education of young people in Iraq and elsewhere and his tireless efforts to carry a message of peace through his concerts,” Xinhua news agency cited the Paris-based organization as saying in a statement.

With the new title, Shamma “will support the organization’s work to improve peace education for young people and the preservation of cultural heritage in Iraq and the region.”